Some bandits who kidnapped a Kaduna State female judge and her four children reportedly killed the eldest son while threatening to murder the remaining children if their N300 million ransom demands were not met.
According to The PUNCH, the Chief Executive Officer of the House of Justice, Gloria Ballason, revealed in a Wednesday statement that Customary Court judge Janet Galadima and her four children were abducted, with her 14-year-old son gruesomely murdered by the kidnappers.
Ballason explained that Galadima and her children were taken hostage on the night of Sunday, June 23, 2024, from their residence in the state while her husband, a medical doctor, was on duty elsewhere.
“The abductors, reportedly around fifteen in number, took their captives and demanded a substantial ransom. On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, the terrorists shot dead the judge’s 14-year-old first son when the ransom could not be raised,” Ballason stated.
Describing the killing of Victor, the judge’s 14-year-old son, as “grisly and blood-curdling,” Ballason emphasized that no parent should endure the horror of losing a child in such a brutal manner. She urged Nigerian security agencies, the governor of Kaduna State, the Nigeria Bar Association, and the judiciary to protect Galadima and her children and ensure justice is served.
In a statement, the Kaduna State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association, through its Public Relations Officer, Dr. Shuaibu Joga, condemned the incident and called on security agencies to take prompt action.
The statement read, “Following the incident, we visited the husband and interacted with him. He informed us that the kidnappers had demanded N300 million for their release. While security agencies were notified and negotiations were ongoing, we received the shocking news today that the first son was killed to force payment of the ransom.”
The association also announced plans for an emergency SEC meeting and a press conference to urge authorities to expedite the release of the judge and her remaining children, as well as another doctor who was kidnapped six months ago. “We call for calm from members and request all to stay safe while we engage the necessary security organs to end this needless wanton evil.”
A family source disclosed that the kidnappers, who initially demanded N300 million, later reduced the amount to N298 million to secure the release of the abducted judge and her remaining children.
“The wife and four children of Dr. Musa Gimba Dutse were kidnapped on June 23, 2024, from his residence in Kaduna while he was away in Kano for an official assignment. Security agencies were duly informed after the incident. The kidnappers initially demanded N300 million (later reduced to N298 million) for their release. While negotiations were ongoing, the kidnappers murdered Dr. Musa’s eldest son Victor (14 years) on July 2, 2024, to force payment of the ransom,” the source said.
As of the time of filing this report, no official statements had been issued by the state government or the state police command. Attempts to reach the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, were unsuccessful, as the line indicated “busy,” and a text message sent by our correspondent received no response.
